College Gameday host Rece Davis urged viewers to ‘read between the lines’ as he addressed Johnny Manziel’s mysterious absence from the program for the first time.
Manziel, the legendary former Texas A&M quarterback, had been scheduled to appear on the ESPN show as the guest picker back at his alma mater ahead of their playoff game against the Miami Hurricanes in College Station last Saturday.
Yet moments before he was scheduled to appear, Davis, who hosts the popular program, revealed that former Texas A&M basketball player and two-time NBA champion Alex Caruso would be stepping in instead.
Manziel had been in Miami for Jake Paul‘s controversial boxing showdown with Anthony Joshua just the night prior, sparking wild speculation over his College Gameday absence from fans.
While a representative for Manziel later revealed to The Daily Mail that Manziel had been struck down with a sudden illness, Davis appeared skeptical as he spoke out on the no-show on the College Gameday podcast on Tuesday.
‘When you go to a fight like that, you’ve got to be very careful about where you eat breakfast the next morning,’ Davis, 60, said. ‘Because it can leave you ill and give you difficulty in reaching the locals where you are scheduled to be.’
College Gameday host Rece Davis addressed Johnny Manziel’s mysterious absence
Johnny Manziel was quietly replaced as guest picker on ESPN’s College GameDay from Texas
He added, ‘But I digress … I just wondered. Is that what the kids are calling it these days? A ‘bad breakfast?’ Anyway, wouldn’t cast dispersion anywhere. For those that follow closely, you’ll be able to read between the lines there. You have to follow a little closely.’
While the host didn’t mention the former Heisman Trophy winner by name, his implication was clear.
On Sunday, a representative for Manziel confirmed to The Daily Mail that the Aggies icon was in fact ‘medically unable to travel due to illness’ from Miami to Texas.
Manziel became ‘acutely ill’ late on Friday night after contracting norovirus while spending time with family earlier in the week.
‘While en route to the airport, his condition worsened, and following medical advice, he and his team made the decision to turn back,’ a spokesperson for Manziel said.
The legendary Texas A&M star remained in Miami where he is receiving treatment and recovering from the illness.
‘His team worked to connect ESPN and Bleacher Report with Alex to ensure a smooth transition on the show, and he appreciates everyone’s understanding under the circumstances,’ his representative added.
ESPN had declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Mail on Saturday.
The Heisman Trophy winner was at the Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua fight on Friday night
Manziel was quietly replaced by former Texas A&M basketball player Alex Caruso on the show
Manziel took to his Instagram story on Sunday morning to apologize to the frustrated and disappointed Aggies fanbase.
‘I will have plenty more to say about what transpired yesterday,’ he wrote. ‘There is almost nothing on this earth that would have made me miss that game. To all the people that genuinely reached out and checked in on me I cannot thank you enough.
‘To ESPN, Pat, Coach, Desmond, and the entire crew on gameday I apologize it was out of my control. To the Aggies and A&M fan base I’m sorry.
‘I will continue to let everyone out there run with a fake narrative and at the end of the day perception always wins over reality. I love all of you who genuinely support me through good and bad like you’ve all done for years.
‘I have no doubt Texas A&M and the Aggie football program will be in that position again. I’m recovering and feeling about a 3/10 going to rest up and try to get back to normal.’
Even in perfect health, Manziel would have faced a quick turnaround to jet from South Florida to the Lone Star State.
The blockbuster bout, which was won by Joshua by knockout after six rounds, ended at around midnight ET, leaving him little time to get from Miami to College Station for College GameDay, which began at 9am.